THE CROATIA CAPITAL ZAGREB MUSEUMS

by MUSEUMS OPEN FOR YOU

Zagreb's numerous museums reflect the history, art and culture not only of Zagreb and Croatia, but also of Europe and the world. Around thirty collections in museums and galleries comprise more than 3.6 million various exhibits, excluding church and private collections.

MODERNA GALERIA of ZAGREB

Archeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum (19 Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square) collections, today consisting of nearly 400,000 varied artifacts and monuments, have been gathered over the years from many different sources. These holdings include evidence of Croatian presence in the area. The most famous are the Egyptian collection, the Zagreb mummy and bandages with the oldest Etruscan inscription in the world (Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis), as well as the numismatic collection.

Croatian Natural History Museum

The Croatian Natural History Museum (1 Demetrova Street) holds one of the world's most important collection of Neanderthal remains found at one site. These are the remains, stone weapons and tools of prehistoric Krapina man. The holdings of the Croatian Natural History Museum comprise more than 250,000 specimens distributed among various different collections.

Museum of Technology

The Museum of Technology (18 Savska Street) was founded in 1954 and it maintains the oldest preserved machine in the area, dating from 1830, which is still operational. The museum exhibits numerous historic aircraft, cars, machinery and equipment. There are some distinct sections in the museum: the Planetarium, the Apisarium, the Mine (model of mines for coal, iron and non-ferrous metals, about 300 m (980 ft) long), and the Nikola Tesla study.

Museum of the City of Zagreb

The Museum of the City of Zagreb (20 Opatička Street) was established in 1907 by the Association of the Braća Hrvatskog Zmaja. It is located in a restored monumental complex (Popov toranj, the Observatory, Zakmardi Granary) of the former Convent of the Poor Clares, of 1650. The Museum deals with topics from the cultural, artistic, economic and political history of the city spanning from Roman finds to the modern period. The holdings comprise 75,000 items arranged systematically into collections of artistic and mundane objects characteristic of the city and its history.

Arts and Crafts Museum

The Arts and Crafts Museum (10 Marshal Tito Square) was founded in 1880 with the intention of preserving the works of art and craft against the new predominance of industrial products. With its 160,000 exhibits, the Arts and Crafts Museum is a national-level museum for artistic production and the history of material culture in Croatia.

Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum (14 Ivan Mažuranić Square) was founded in 1919. It lies in the fine Secession building of the one-time Trades Hall of 1903. The ample holdings of about 80,000 items cover the ethnographic heritage of Croatia, classified in the three cultural zones: the Pannonian, Dinaric and Adriatic.

Mimara Museum


MIMARA MUSEUM

The museum called the "Art Collection of Ante and Wiltrud Topić Mimara" or, for short, the Mimara Museum (5 Roosevelt Square), was founded with a donation from Ante "Mimara" Topić and opened to the public in 1987. It is located in a late 19th century neo-Renaissance palace. The holdings comprise 3,750 works of art of various techniques and materials, and different cultures and civilizations.

Croatian Naïve Art Museum

The Croatian Naïve Art Museum (works by Croatian primitivists at 3 Ćirilometodska Street) is considered to be the first museum of naïve art in the world.[citation needed] The museum keeps works of Croatian naïve expression of the 20th century. It is located in the 18th century Raffay Palace in the Gornji Grad. The museum holdings consist of 1500 works of art - paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints, mainly by Croatians but also by other well-known world artists. From time to time, the museum organizes topics and retrospective exhibitions by naïve artists, expert meetings and educational workshops and playrooms.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1954 and a rich collection of Croatian and foreign contemporary visual art has been collected throughout the decades. The Museum (2 St. Catherine's Square) is located in a space within the Kulmer Palace in the Gornji Grad. A new Museum building in Novi Zagreb has been under construction since 2003. The Museum's permanent art collection will be presented to the public when it moves into its new building planned for 2007.

Valuable historical collections are also found in the Croatian School Museum, the Croatian Hunting Museum, the Croatian Sports Museum, the Croatian Post and Telecommunications Museum, the HAZU (Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts) Glyptotheque (collection of monuments), and the HAZU Graphics Cabinet.


OLD MASTERS GALLERY. BEATO ANGELICO. DEATH OF ST. PETER

The Strossmayer's Old Masters Gallery (11 Zrinski Square) offers permanent holdings presenting European paintings from the 14th to 19th centuries, and the Ivan Meštrović Studio, (8 Mletačka Street) with sculptures, drawings, lithography portfolios and other items, was a donation of this great artist to his homeland The Museum and Gallery Center (4 Jesuit Square) introduces on various occasions the Croatian and foreign cultural and artistic heritage. The Art Pavilion (22 King Tomislav Square) by Viennese architects Hellmer and Fellmer who were the most famous designers of theaters in Central Europe is a neo-classical exhibition complex and one of the landmarks of the downtown. The exhibitions are also held in the impressive Meštrović building on Žrtava Fašizma Square — the Home of Croatian Fine Artists. The World Center "Wonder of Croatian Naïve Art" (12 Ban Jelačić Square) exhibits masterpieces of Croatian naïve art as well as the works of a new generation of artists. The Modern Gallery (1 Hebrangova Street) comprises all relevant fine artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

BERNE. BETWEEN THE GAMES.

by iihf.com and Museums open for you

BERNE – Are you a national team coach wondering what to do with your players between games in Berne? IIHF.com has come up with five tantalizing tourism options that will not only educate and entertain, but also put your team on the road to success in the picturesque Swiss capital.



BERNE CLOCK TOWER

Perhaps your players are taking too long shifts, or they keep misfiring on their passes and one-timers. What better place to restore their sense of timing than the Berne Clock Tower (Zytglogge)?

Starting in the 12th century, it served as the medieval city's first western gate, and is famed for its elaborate clock covered with astronomical symbols. The mechanism dates from 1530, and each hour a group of mechanical figures (including a knight, jester, and bears) come out and move while the bells ring.

EINSTEIN HOUSE AND EINSTEIN MUSEUM

Unfortunately, not all hockey players are geniuses. Do your guys take bad retaliation penalties or lip off at referees? Try to boost their IQs by taking them to the Einstein House and Einstein Museum.

The Einstein House (Kramgasse 49) is located near the Clock Tower in the Old City (a UNESCO world cultural centre), and includes the original furnishings and copies of scientific documents that belonged to the world's most famous physicist. Einstein scored his biggest triumph here when he came up with the theory of relativity.

The Einstein Museum (Helvetiaplatz 5) is part of the Berne Historical Museum, and offers audiovisual displays that describe Einstein's life and take visitors through the universe.

BERNE BEAR PIT

Some teams lack the animal intensity to get physical. There's no bite to their play. Such teams could learn a lesson or two from the Berne Bear Pit (Bärengraben). Since the bear is the heraldic animal of Berne, this enclosure at the east side of the Old City has long been a popular place to observe European brown bears.

Sadly, Pedro, the last surviving bear in the pit, died on April 30. But a brand-new Bear Park on the shores of the Aare River will open on October 25, featuring a natural landscape where new bears brought in from the Berne Zoo will swim, play, and fish.

BERNAQUA

Is your team aiming to make a splash at this tournament, whether by winning gold or merely staying in the elite division? Get them in a splashy mood with a visit to Bernaqua (Riedbachstrasse 98), a giant water park and spa inside the new Westside shopping centre, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

Three big waterslides, 18 pools, and luxurious spa and sauna facilities are among the highlights.

BERNE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS



Usually, no points are awarded for artistic merit in hockey, but the shootout is a great situation for innovation. Maybe your players are having a hard time coming up with creative moves for game-winning shots competitions. If so, stimulate their synapses at the Berne Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum, Hodlerstrasse 8-12).

More than 3,000 paintings and sculptures and 48,000-plus drawings by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, and Switzerland's Paul Klee bring in the crowds.

ENGLAND, LONDON, THE BRITISH MUSEUM...

Roman Britain

In AD 43, Britain became a province of the Roman Empire when it was invaded by an army under the emperor Claudius. Its links with the Empire, however, had already been long established through trade, population movement and political alliances.

Nevertheless, there was understandably native resistance, notably by Boudicca. But by the 70s AD, much of the island was under Roman control.

Britannia, as it became known, covered the areas of modern England and Wales. Modern Scotland was never fully conquered. By the end of the second century AD, Hadrian’s Wall was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire, whilst Ireland always remained outside. Roman rule finally came to an end in the early fifth century AD.

The British Museum collection includes thousands of objects that reflect these four centuries of Roman rule, and show how Roman and native culture became mixed. The Romans built towns and villas of stone, brick, tile, plaster and mosaics, and roads to link them. Latin became the official language, and the law, administrative system and currency of Rome were all introduced.

The range of imports increased, and settlers arrived from other Roman provinces in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Native religions and classical beliefs became interlinked. Other cults from the east were introduced, and Christianity became increasingly popular in the fourth century AD.

All this created a complex and diverse society, which is reflected by objects in the British Museum.


Bronze head from a statue of the Emperor Hadrian Roman Britain, 2nd century AD. Found in the River Thames near London Bridge (1834)

Medieval Europe

The late medieval period is difficult to define and different authorities understand different things by the term. It is, however, generally seen to end with the Renaissance. At the British Museum, the years from about 1050-1540 are used to signify the period. This is with the exception of material from Italy where the Renaissance can be seen to begin around the middle of the fifteenth century.

Two major art-historical styles characterise these years. The first is Romanesque (around 1050-1200) and the second is Gothic (around 1200-1540). The Romanesque style is identified by solid, rounded forms and a love of pattern, as demonstrated by the late twelfth century Lewis chessmen. The Gothic style places greater emphasis on graceful, slender figures as shown by the knight and his lady painted on the Shield of Parade towards the end of the fifteenth century.

Late medieval Europe was Christian but the period also saw the establishment of Muslim states on European soil for the first time. Jews, Muslims and Christians lived peacefully in southern Italy and Spain for several hundred years. The resulting exchange of ideas saw the transfer of much scientific knowledge to western Europe along with the translation of classical texts and the transmission of chess.

The turbulence of war, religious intolerance and plague has played a significant part in forming an unfavourable impression of the period for many. However, the same period saw the invention of printing and the foundation of modern institutions such as schools, universities and hospitals.


The Lewis Chessmen. Probably made in Norway, about AD 1150-1200. Found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

FRANCE, PARIS, LOUVRE...

Located in Paris, the Louvre has been one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. Placed on the Right Bank in the First Arrondissement, the Louvre was built in an area between the Seine River and the Rue de Rivoli. This building was originally used as a fortress, and later was used to display art and transformed into a museum.



The museum was formally opened in 1750, and much of the building was used as a gallery to showcase artist's works. It allowed all common people from within France and abroad to view the gallery. Entrance to the museum in the form of a combined ticket (which grants admission to all permanent collections as well as any temporary exhibits) is 13 euros.

The Louvre has over 380,000 pieces of art within its collection. However, only 35,000 of it is on public display. Famous artworks like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo are two of the 11,900 pieces that is publicly displayed at the Louvre. Other lesser known but famous pieces include the Madonna on the Rocks and Oath of the Horatii.



Art enthusiasts can venture into the museum's different sections to view the mass amounts of art work on display. There are eight total sections in the museum: Islamic Art, Paintings, Sculptures, Prints and Drawings, Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, and Decorative Arts.

Amongst their collection, they have large collections of pieces from famous artists such as Rembrandt and David. Famous sculptures such as the Venus de Milo can be found on display within the museum. These famous pieces are some of the many works that visitors often ask about. Plus the Louvre holds one the largest collections of several popular artists, as well as a large collection of pictorials in the world.

While the Louvre is well known for its art collection, there are other collections within the museum that will surprise many people. Outside of the art, the museum has archeology, sculptures, and objest d'art from across the globe. They also have a permanent gallery showing large holdings of furniture, including the Bureau du Roi by Jean Henri Riesener. Some of these works are available in books that are sold at the museum. Temporary exhibits are also held throughout the year on various other elements of the various art movements, in which other parts of the hidden collection will be presented to the public.


DELACROIX. LIBERTY. 1830 LOUVRE COLLECTION

SPAIN, MADRID, PRADO...

For those booking their resort and planning to travel abroad to the beautiful country of Spain, Madrid is likely you first stop. While there, you should invest the time in visiting the Prado Museum, called Museo del Prado.



It offers some 7000 paintings and other art displays. You will find three of the most well known Spanish artists represented here. This includes Goya, El Greco and Velazquez. Still, there are dozens of other artists from around the world represented in this beautiful museum.

The Museum

The museum is located in Madrid centrally. It has beautiful garden surrounding it. Many enjoy spending hours here with its 19th century beauty. It was finally completed in building in 1819. Much of the work here is from the collections purchased by Spanish nobility at that time and over time.

Soon, a new wing will be completed, though there has been some disagreement about it. Many of the pieces that will be displayed here will be those that have been in storage for most of their existence. This includes Pereda and Zurbaran to name a couple that will be now able to be viewed. Even without them, you can enjoy a full day of art works when you visit the museum. You will find plenty from Spanish masters in art. You will also find works by other famous people including Italians, Flemish, Dutch and French artists. Many of these were purchased or taken during the time of Spain's conquests throughout Europe. No matter how they were collected, the fact is that they are a timeless piece of work that can not be overlooked.



Where To Go

You will want to stroll through the Goya enterance located on the ground floor. While there, stop to enjoy the work of Fra Angelico, called La Anunciacion a la Virgen Maria. You will enjoy a range of other pieces here as well. A few steps away is a masterpiece from the Italian Botticelli, Mantegna del Sarto and Corregio. You also want to enjoy the Titian's Venus located here.

You will enjoy Bosch who is considered to be one of the world's best in the genre of surrealism. You will see the Seven Deadly Sins work as well as Garden of Earthly Delights here, too. These were painted in the 16th century, though they are still one of the most amazing you will see. These were once called the artist's vivid imagination. When you move up to the second floor, you will see many 17th century Flemish pieces. This includes Rubens and van Dyck.

Perhaps the main reason to visit is the Goy and El Greco works you will see here. These are the most popular with John the Baptist, The Resurrection and Adoration of the Shepards by El Greco. Goya are here as well, with Saturn Devouring One Of His Sons as one of the most popular.

A visit to the Museo del Prado is one that is a must for anyone visiting Spain's famed Madrid. There is so much to enjoy here, plan to spend the entire day.


THE GARDEN OF EARLY DELIGHT. HYERONYMUS BOSCH. PRADO COLLECTION